Quade Cooper scored one of each scores to help the Reds to victory over the Rebels.

A late try got the Reds the bonus point as they beat the Rebels 33 – 20, after being behind 13 – 17 at half time.

It was a good start for the Rebels, who enjoyed a good first half in which they scored two tries from charged down kicks. First Scott Fuglistaller and then Rory Sidey got lucky in scoring for the Rebels. The Reds had their own bit of a luck and although they struggled, scored a good intercept through Luke Morahan.

The second half was a completely different story as Quade Cooper and Will Genia got into the game and got the Reds on the front foot. Once on the attack, the Reds scored a further three tries to wrap up the game. Jake Schatz was first to score a try, after which Cooper himself scored a tough try. Ben Lucas got the fourth on the hooter, which kept the Reds in contact with the Brumbies for that all important top spot.

The Rebels were impressive in the first half purely as the Reds were making them do all the playing. Once the Reds kept possession and ran with the ball, the Rebels had no answer and struggled to keep up defensively. Genia and Cooper controlled play superbly, and even though Cooper was twice charged down for the tries, his play in the second half must have made Robbie Deans’ life a little more difficult.

The Reds are off next weekend while the Rebels are away to the Brumbies.